Foam column



Sept- 16, 19302 1. vx-:RNER 1,776,206

FOAM COLUMN Filed-Aug. 3i, 1927 vwo/m to z ft/L55 ViP/V52 @Hom/w13 Patented Sept. 15, i930 amate UNITED .eArENr oFFiclfzv f JULES VERNER, or LINDEN, NEW massa', AssieNoR .'ro 'STANDARD ori. iJEkvEi-.orv-k MENT COMPANY, A coaronarron or DELAWARE 1 roma coeur/IN Application filed August 31, i927. Serial 1i` 'n.'21I-,574.

This invention relates to an improvement in columns for the deliver 'of attire 'eXtin-' guishing foam onto the'sur ace of a combustlble liquid, and has for itsobjecta form of 5 apparatus whereby fires occurring at the surface ofsuch a liquid may be more speedily and efectually extinguished.

Fires intanks containing combustible liquids such as petroleum oils may be extinguished b flowing a blanket of {ire-extinguishing oam onto thesurface of the liquid. he foam vmaybe delivered by a pipe, open 'at the upper end,pro'ecting above the sur- '4 face of the liquid. T is pipe will be hereinafter referred to asa foam column.

`The foam may be generated in any way. It mayY be piped to the column from a remote int, but is ordinarily produced by mixingy 0am producing'solutions when required in j the base of the column',- or in a receptacle, or.

mixing chamber in communication therewith. My invention-comprehends an improved type of foam columnl made of material stable at ordinary temperatures, but fusible by the heat produced by combustion at the surface of the liquid.A In the event of a ire that part of the column projecting above the surface is automatically fused and removed and the foam is delivered substantially directly onto 3o the surface. My column maybe made of substantially any fusible material although I preferably employ a metal having a melting point between 100y and 900C. A column n of zinc is wellv adapted to mypurpose. My column may, moreover, if desired be com',- pletely sealed at the upper end to prevent ingress of liquid` or vapor when not in use.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical cross section of a preferred embodiment of my invention, and A Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic horizontal cross sectionof the same.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a tank for the storage ofcombustible liquids. such as petro leum oils. This is provided with roof 2, and contains a combustlble liquid such as petroyleum oil 3, up to the level 4. Foam prod'ucf This is preferably of such dimensions that any fused material from' the column falling therein will not impede the iiow of foam. Receptacle? yis surmounted by foam column 8, which is -secured by ybraces 9. The column is preferably made ofa metal fusible between;

100 and 900 C. relatively thin', say 8 gauge or.V less, and transversely corrugated.

The operation of this column is identical with that of columns now in use, except that inthe event of a fire this column automatically shortens to a. few inches above the surface of the oil and the foam is delivered substantially directly onto the surface.

The apparatus shown-is an illustration and not in limitation, andvarious alternatives may be adopted within the scope of the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim broadly all novelty inherent in the invention.

I claim 1. In combination with of inflammable liquid, a` foam column arranged in the tank and normally in part suba tank `for storage merged in ,the liquid'and in Apart projecting above the surface of the liquid, said column being constructed of `a material adapted to 'fuse atA the temperature attained by its eX- posed portion in case the liquid burns, and means free from connection with the upper structure of the tank and connected with the lower part of the co thereto. l y

2. 'Apparatus according to claim 1, in whichV the column is mjade of material fusible between 100 and '900 C.- l

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the coliunn is made of thin material fusible between 100 and 900 C., and tra-nsversely corrugated.

Il. Apparatus according to claim 1, in

so lumn for supplying foam 3 5;

which the column is in a substantially vertical position and spaced from the walls of the tank. Y

5,. Apparatus accordin to claim 1,- in which the tank is inthe germ of a vertical cylinder and the foam column is placed substantially in its axis. y

6. Apparatus according to claim 1,' in which the means for feeding the, column comi prises a pair of pipes projecting through vertically v the lower part of the tank wall and communicating with the lower end of the foam co1- umn, said pipes bein connected to suitable sources of foam pro ucing ingredients.

7. Apparatus for extinguishing fires in inflammable liquid tanks, which comprises a foam column normally in part submerged in the liquid and in part unsubmerged, sa1d column bein composed throughout its effective length sustantially solely of' a'readily fusible Imetallicl substance, and means for supplying foam to the lower-'part of. the co1- umn when the unsubmerged portion thereof is fused by V'heat of burningliquid in `the tank, whereby the entire stream of foam is discharged. directly upon the liquid surface.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in Which a. pipe discharging into the column near the bottom of the same supplies the foam orl foam producing materials. v

' v JULES VERNER. 

